THE primary election race for Port of Seattle commissioner, Position 3, pits Commissioner Stephanie Bowman against Michael Wolfe and Andrew Pilloud. The other commissioners appointed Bowman to the vacant seat earlier this year after competition among applicants, and it would be a mistake for voters to set aside their judgment so soon.

For several years Bowman managed government relations for the Port of Tacoma. Her knowledge of the Tacoma port’s people and their concerns will be useful if Seattle and Tacoma are to make an alliance so they can compete with other West Coast container ports rather than with each other.

Bowman is executive director of the Washington Asset Building Coalition, a group that promotes ways for middle- and low-income people to earn, save and invest money. The job allows her two full days a week plus evenings to work on Port business.

Her two opponents said they could spare one day a week.

Wolfe is director of sales for Useadeal.com, a Seattle mobile-app company, and chairs the 37th District Democrats. He has a background in tourism and an interest in the airport.

Pilloud is a software engineer at EMC Isilon who worked on the Ron Paul campaign.

Neither has presented a strong reason to overturn the four other commissioners’ preference for Bowman.